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This tragic cable car crash in Portugal's capital that claimed 16 people in the beginning of September was attributed to a defective wire, according to the formal investigation published on Monday.

This inquiry has urged that the city's similar vehicles stay out of service until their operational integrity can be completely confirmed.

Details of the Tragic Incident

This accident happened when the historic Glória cable car left the rails and crashed into a building, stunning the capital and raising significant worries about the reliability of historic tourist attractions.

Portugal's transport safety authority (the investigative body) reported that a cable linking two cabins had detached shortly before the tragedy on 3 September.

Initial Results

This initial document confirmed that the wire was not up to the mandatory requirements outlined by the local public transport company.

The line was not in compliance with the specifications in force to be used for the Glória tram.

This 35-page report further urged that other inclined railways in the capital should stay out of service until authorities can ensure they have adequate brakes designed of immobilising the cars in the event of a wire failure.

Fatalities and Harm

Among the sixteen victims, eleven were non-Portuguese citizens, including 3 British individuals, two South Koreans, 2 citizens of Canada, one French national, one Swiss national, one citizen of the United States, and one Ukrainian national.

This crash also hurt approximately twenty individuals, including 3 British citizens.

The Portuguese fatalities comprised four staff members from the identical social care institution, whose offices are located at the summit of the sheer street accessed by the funicular.

Operational Context

The Glória funicular first opened in the late 19th century, utilizing a mechanism of counterweights to drive its 2 cars along its 265-metre track up and down a steep slope.

According to authorities, a routine inspection on the morning of the crash identified nothing unusual with the wire that eventually broke.

The investigators also stated that the operator had applied the funicular's brakes, but they were unable to stop the vehicle without the assistance of the weight compensation system.

This whole crash unfolded in only under a minute, according to the inquiry.

Upcoming Actions

The investigative body is scheduled to release a definitive document with operational suggestions within the coming year, though an interim update may deliver more details on the status of the inquiry.